Coventry local government workers belonging to the public services union Unison have over-whelmingly voted to reject the latest national pay offer.

They decided by 78 per cent to 22 per cent to reject the three per cent offer and will now wait on national ballot results to see if industrial action is a possibility.

The union is the largest of the three involved in the national talks to find a deal. All three unions are backing a claim for #1,750 for all workers earning up to #29,000 and six per cent for those earning more.

Richard Harty, Coventry branch secretary, said: "Unison members working in both local government and other public sector areas have rejected the pay offer because it does not reflect the hard work they provide for the public today.

"If the employer's side want us to deliver world-class services they have to make our members a fair and decent pay award.

"Our members work hard in local government to deliver high quality services to the public.

"This needs to be recognised by local authorities in this country including Coventry."

He said they would now wait for the results of other votes before deciding whether to ballot members on taking industrial action.

Mr Harty added: "There is a great deal of talk about the public services in this country but there is little recognition of local government workers and the contribution they make for the people of this country."